Capping-machine.



G. A. YOUNGMAN.-

OAPPING MACHINE. APPLIUATIONJI'LED mums, 190s.

93 1,244. Patented Aug. 17,1909.

2 SHEET'S- SHEET l.

WITNESSES INVENTOH 672arZeJ filzuzgman W ma A TTOHNEYS- UNITED STATESPATENT oEEIoE.

CHARLES ALBERT YOUNGMAN, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALFTO ALBERT J. POHLMAN, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

OAPPING-MACHIN E To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES ALBERT YOUNGMAN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Louisville, in the county of Jefferson andState of Kentucky, have invented a new and Improved Capping- Machine, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to machines for applying metal caps or foilcapsules to the heads and necks of bottles, jars and other receptacles.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved cappingmachine, arranged to press the cap or capsule snugly onto the head andneck of the receptacle, without danger of marring the cap or capsule, orscratching or removing the paint, wax or other material with which thecap or capsule is decorated.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations ofthe same, which will be more fully described hereinafter and thenpointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in whichsimilar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all theviews.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improve ment; Fig. 2 is alongitudinal central section of the same; Fig. 3 is a like view of thesame showing the parts in a different position; Fig. 4 is a transversesection of the same, on the line 4t of Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a similarview of the same on the line 55 of Fig. 3, a number of fingers beingomitted.

On a suitably constructed frame A is mounted a tube B, in which is heldto slide centrally a plunger C, having at its forward end a head C, andhaving its rear end O provided with lugs C engaging longitudinal slots Bformed in the tube B, so as to guide the plunger C in its longitudinalmovement. The rear end C is pressed on by a spring D coiled in the tubeB, to normally hold the plunger C in a forward position, as shown inFig. 2, the plunger being free to yield in a rearward direction whenpressed on by the cap E to be fitted onto the head and neck of a bottleE or other receptacle (see Fig. The rearward sliding motion of theplunger C is limited by a stop collar F adjustably secured to the tube Bby a set screw F.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 13, 1908.

Patented Aug. 17,1909.

Serial No. 420,779.

The forward end of the tube B is engaged by inwardly projecting lips Gformed on the rear ends of longitudinally-extending fingers G, providedat their forward ends with inwardly-extending lips G adapted to engagethe sides of the cap or capsule E, to press the same in firmcontact withthe head and neck of the bottle or other receptacle E. The fingers G aregrouped around the plunger C and are mounted to swing radially, thefingers being guided in radial slots I-I formed in guideways H, H,supported on the main frame A. The forward ends of the fingers G areencircled by a band I of rubber or other elastic material, so as topress the fingers G inwardly and to allow the fingers to swingseparately or collectively when the device is used, as hereinafter morefully explained. The lips G are curved outwardly in such a manner as toform a mouth for the ready entrance of the cap E held on the neck orhead of the bottle. Theinner portions of the lips G are curved topermitthe head C to readily engage the lips and swing the fingers Goutward into an open position, as indicated in Fig. 2, the lips thenresting onthe peripheral face of the head G. Thenthe plunger C is inthis position, a cap or capsule blank placed on the head of the bottleor other receptacle E can be readily passed I into the mouth formed bythe fingers G, to engage the outer face of the head C, and on an inwardpushing of the receptacle E, the lips G of the fingers G engage the capor capsule and thus press the same snugly onto the head and neck of thereceptacle E.

The rear ends of the fingers G are provided with external grooves Gengaged by a collar J attached to the frame A, the collar serving tohold the fingers against longitudinal displacement. The collar J alsoserves with the lips G as means for pivotally mounting the fingers G.

The operation is as follows: When the several part-s are in the positionillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the fingers G are held open by the head Cof the plunger C now in a forward position. The operator places the capor capsule blank on the end of the bottle or other receptacle E andpushes the same against the head C, whereby the cap or capsule blank, ispartly folded back by the mouth of the fingers G, and on furtherrearward pressure the plunger 0 yields rearwardly and the lips G nowfirmly press the sides of the cap or capsule onto the head and neck ofthe receptacle E, so that the cap snugly follows theconfiguration of thehead and neck of the receptacle E". When the lips Gr pass the end of thecap or capsule, the lugs C abut against the collar F, thus arresting theinward movement-of the plunger C and that of the receptacle E. Theoperator now withdraws the receptacle with the cap or capsule E pressedforward, and the above described operation is then repeated with anotherreceptacle and cap as described.

From the foregoing it Will be seen that the fingers Gr press the side ofthe cap or capsule in a longitudinal direction, as the receptacle E ismoved inwardly, thus insuring asnug fit of the cap or capsule E on thehead and neck of the receptacle E, without danger of marring the cap orcapsule E, or scratching or removing the paint, wax or other materialwith which the cap or capsule is decorated.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. A capping machine, comprising a tube, a spring-pressed plungermounted to slide centrally in the said tube, a series of fingersarranged lengthwise of the tube and grouped around the axis thereof toswing radially, the fingers having their ends provided with inwardlyprojecting lips, the rear end lips resting on the forward'end of thesaid tube, a collar encircling the rear ends of the fingers and holdingthe lips at the said end in engagement with the tube, guides for thefingers, whereby they are held spaced apart and caused to swingradially, and a spring band encircling the free outer ends of the saidfingers to press the latter inwardly.

2. A capping machine, comprising a slot ted tube, a spring pressedplunger in the tube, the inner end of the plunger being provided withlugs working in the slots of the tube, an adjustable collar on the tube,pivoted and spring pressed fingers at one end of the tube and having attheir forward ends inwardly extending lips, and a slotted plate,

'in the slots of which the fingers work.

8. A capping machlne, comprising a tube,

a spring pressed plunger in the tube and normally held projected fromsaid tube, means for adjustably limiting the inward movement of theplunger, radially movable fingers at one end of the tube and groupedaround the plunger, means for holding the fingers spaced apart andguiding them, and a spring surrounding the free ends of the fingers andholding them pressed inwardly.

l. In a capping machine, a tube, a plunger in the tube, fingers havingat their ends inwardly projecting lips, and at their rear ends externalgrooves, the lips at the rear ends of the fingers resting upon theforward end of the tube, and a collar fitting in the grooves of thefingers.

5. In a capping machine, a slotted tube, a spring pressed plungerworking in the tube and normally projecting from one end of said tube,and provided with lugs engaging the slots of the tube, pivoted andspring pressed fingers at one end of the tube and grouped around theplunger, and means for guiding the fingers.

6. In a capping machine, a slotted tube, a spring pressed plungerworking in the tube and normally projecting from one end of the tube,said plunger being provided with lugs engaging the slots of the tube,radially movable fingers at one end of the tube and grouped around theplunger, means for guiding the fingers, and means for holding the freeends ofthe fingers pressed inward.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

' CHARLES ALBERT YOUNGMAN lVitnesses: 1

C. H. DYE, A. J. POHLMAN.

